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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


144  11^    11^ 

2  IM   |||m 
"     12.0 


1.8 


1.25 

1.4 

1.6 

^ 6"     — 

► 

$ 


7a 


^m 


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es 


7 


V 


/A 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEDSTER.N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICIV/IH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions 


Institut  Canadian  de  microreprodu'  lions  historiques 


1980 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bioliographiques 


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r~7l  Coloured  covers/ 

I  V  I  Couverture  de  couleur 

I — I  Covers  damaged/ 

I — I  Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 


Couverture  endommagde 

Covers  restored  and/or  lai 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pellicul6e 


D 


Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


I — I    Coloured  maps/ 


D 


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Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


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D 
D 


D 


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Ce  document  est  film§  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu6  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

4 

L_-U 

■™~" 

19X 

^^■^ 

16X 

20X 

24X 

28X 

32X 

The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

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first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — »►  {meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

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filmage. 

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par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tojs  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  film6s  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suevants  apparaftra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  §tre 
filmds  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  il  est  filmd  d  partir 
de  Tangle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

TM  Leaping  Ouananiche 


What  It  Is, 
Where,  When  and  How  to  Catch  It 


\ 


,':•!t^ 


lli: 


\ 


.-"^ 


By  EUGENE  MCCARTHY 


Forest  and  Stream  Publishing  Co.,  318  Broadway,  New  York 


The  heaping  Ouananiche 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 


WHAT    IT    IS 

WHERE,    WHEN    and    HOW 

TO    CATCH    IT 


BY 


EUGENE  McCarthy 


$ 


NEW    YORK 
FOREST    AND    STREAM    PUBLISHING    COMPANY 

1894 


ZH62^ 


Ml 


oL 


c 


ipyriglit,   i,S()4,  by  the 


Forest  :iiui  Stit 


;ini  l^iblishing  Company 


A    I'irst   Word 


So  ijTTi.K  has  been  written  about  oiiananiclie  fishing,  its 
modes  and  its  merits,  its  charms  and  its  rewards,  that  there 
is  call  for  a  handbook  of  specific  information  (oncerning  the 
fish  and  of  definite  instructions  in  the  art  of  its  enticement. 
Impelled  by  the  obligation  which  rests  upon  everv  sportsman 
to  give  his  fellows  in  the  craft  the  fruit  of  his  own  experience 
and  knowledge,  1  have  prepared  this  brochure.  Its  purpose 
is  to  put  into  compact  and  intelligent  form  all  that  may  be 
necessary  for  the  guidance  of  newcomers  in  the  |)icturesque 
haunts  of  this  noble  game  fish. 

The  volume  is  dedicated  to  my  fellow  sportsmen;  to  all 
those  who  may  find  in  it  practical  helpfulness;  to  all  who  in 
the  freedom  and  freshness  of  the  woods  may  give  over  for  a 
time  the  tax  of  business,  and  as  did  Izaak  Walton  him.self  ^ 
may  find  in  fishing  forgetfulness  of  the  vexations  and  v/orries 
of  life. 

E.  McC. 


What  It  Is 


What    It    Is 


Five  years  ago,  1  accidentally  heard  that  away 
to  the  north  in  the  wilds  of  Canada,  there  was 
a  new  fishing  territory  opened  up  to  the  angler, 
the  Lake  St.  John  region ;  and  I  heard,  too,  for 
the  first  time,  the  name  of  that  great  fish,  the 
ouananiche. 

I  at  once  made  the  trip,  for  I  was  completely 
worked  up  over  the  glowing  accounts  I  had 
heard ;  and  finding  them  to  be  all  truth,  and  no 
fiction,  I  became  a  most  enthusiastic  admirer  of 
the  sport  to  be  had  in  that  country,  and  have 
spent   a   month   or  more   there   each  year  since. 

The  fighting  qualities  of  this  fish  are  so  great 
that  they  pass  understanding,  and  with  five  years 
of  experience  in  angling  for  them,  I  conclude  each 
year  that  I  know  less  about  how  to  hook,  handle 
and  land   them. 

9 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

True,  I  have  always  saved  enoui^h  to  satisfy  in 
p'^int  of  numbers,  but  it  does  hurt  one's  pride  to 
feel  at  the  end  of  each  day's  catch,  that  31/ 
pounds  of  fish  has  frequently  outwitted  225 
pounds  of  man;  and  that  the  man's  superior  in- 
telligence has  availed  him  only  to  the  extent  of 
saving  less  than  half  of  the  pugnacious  ouananiche 
that   have   become   acquainted   with   his   hook. 

The  word  ouananiche  is  a  new  one  but  recently 
in  use  amongst  anglers,  as  it  represents  a  new 
member  of  the  salmon  family,  found  in  a  new 
section  of  country,  and  is  a  fish  but  little  known, 
even  at  present.  Already  classed  above  the  black 
bass  and  brook  trout  as  a  fighter,  and  ranking 
second  only  to  the  salmon  {Salmo  salar),  it  is 
destined  to  become  the  most  sought  after  and 
noted  of  our  game  fish.  It  is  peculiar  alone  to 
Lake  St.  John  in  the  Province  of  Quebec  and  its 
tributaries,  and  these  waters  having  been  practi- 
cally opened  to  easy  access  within  a  few  years 
only,  the  existence  of  this  w^onderful  fish  is  rap- 
idly attracting  the  attention  of  noted  fishermen. 
How  much  tackle  will  be  broken,  how  many  rods 

smashed,    and    arms    lamed,    will    result    from    the 

10 


i  in 
J  to 

in- 

of 

iclie 


ntly 
lew 
new 
wn, 
ack 
:ing 

is 
and 

to 
its 

LCti- 

yars 
■ap- 
len. 
ods 
the 


'A 

O 


Eh 
O 
-t1 


o 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

introduction     of    the     ouananiche    to     the    an.gHni( 
pubhc    cannot    be    tokl. 

The  outlet  of  Lake  St.  John,  the  Sai^aienay,  has 
always  been  noted  as  a  hne  salmon  river,  for  it 
receives  smaller  fresh  water  rivers  that  afford  fine 
spawninjr  crrounds.  At  some  remote  period,  the 
entire  river  to  the  lake  afforded  easy  ascent  for 
the  spawning  salmon.  Some  upheaval  of  nature 
occurred,  raisinjr  an  impassable  barrier  at  Chicou- 
timi,  a  fall  of  some  60  or  70  feet  in  heig-ht,  im- 
prisoninor  the  salmon  above.  Thus  prevented  from 
returninir  to  salt  water,  the)-  have  become  land- 
locked salmon,  or  ouananiche,  depreciated  in  size 
only  from  their  oricrinal   progenitors. 

The  word  ouananiche  is  from  the  dialect  of  the 
Montagnais  Indians  who  inhabit  the  country  about 
Lake  St.  John.  The)-  have  always  been  familiar 
with  this  fish,  and  understandincr  its  derivation, 
have  properly  named  it  '\manan;'  meaning  salmon, 
and   ''ic/ic''  the   diminutive— "the  little  salmon." 

Report   has    it  that  one  of    14  pounds  was  taken 

in    the    Little    Disclia-x;    of    the    lake    several   \ears 

ago,     but     none    approximating     that     weight     have 

been   taken   since.        In    an    ordinary   catch    the    fish 

II 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

will  average  from  3  to  3^  pounds  each,  although 
smaller  and  larger  ones  are  as  frequently  caught. 
I  have  seen  several  taken  weighing  8  to  8^  pounds, 
but  individually,  7^/^  pounds  has  been  the  largest 
I   have  secured. 

The  ouananiche  differs  materially  from,  the  land- 
locked salmon  found  in  a  few  of  the  Maine  lakes. 
While  both  are  so-called  land-locked  salmon,  they 
differ  somewhat  in  appearance,  the  former  being 
caught  almost  exclusively  in  the  swiftest  running 
rapids  entirely  with  the  tly;  the  latter  in  the  smooth, 
quiet  waters  of  lakes,  and  principally  with  the  spoon. 
Concerning  the  relative  merits  of  the  two  fish,  and 
especially  the  manner  of  catching  them,  there  can 
be  no  comparison  or  controversy,  and  I  will  not 
therefore  go   further   into  the  subject 

Upon  making  a  close  comparison  of  a  7^-pound 

ouananiche  with  an  18-pound   salmon,  side  by  side, 

as   I    had    an    opportunity    to   do    recently,    I    could 

discover    little,    if    any,    difference;    they    are    truly 

congeneric.       The    contour   differs    in    not    even    a 

slight    degree.        The    color,    almost     black    on    the 

back,  shades  to  a  light  gray  on   the  side,  while  the 

belly   is   silvery  white;   in   all  respects  colored  as  is 

12 


3  ugh 
ight. 
inds, 
•gest 


and- 
ikes. 
they 
eing 
ning 
loth, 
oon. 
and 
can 
not 


\ 


•und 
>ide, 
Diild 
ruly 
n  a 
the 
the 
s  is 


X, 


75 


7? 


a 


o 


b 

b! 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

the  salniv^n.  It  has  a  true  sahiinn  head,  lar!j;c, 
roiiiul,  black  spots  appear  on  tli(.'  ^ills,  the  St. 
Antlrcw  crosses  on  the  hod)-  arc;  plentiful,  it  has 
the  small  (l(.'sh)'  tin  on  top  antericjr  to  the  tail, 
peculiar  to  the  salmon  family.  Tht:  tins,  especi- 
all)-  the  caudal,  and  the  tail,  are  extremel)'  lar^e. 
The  scale's  are  an  exact  counterpart  of  thos(;  of 
the  salmon,  while  tlu!  llc;sh  is  hard  and  tlak\-,  al- 
ways pink,  although  varyin^i  in  shade,  and  proper- 
ly cooked,  it  is  fulh'  equal  to,  if  not  htitter  than 
that  of  the  salmon.  When  first  cauL,dit  and  tak(,'n 
from  the  water,  the  hack  and  sides  of  the?  ouanan- 
iche have  a  most  beautiful  peacock  blue  shade  that 
one  must  stop  and  admire.  This  disappears  withiii 
a  few  moments,  and  L;ives  plact;  to  the  tru(;  s.'il- 
rnon   color  described  above. 

Its  natural  lurkin*^  place  is  in  swift  running-  ra^ 
pids,  or  the  foam-covered,  whirlin<^,  edchiuL;"  pools 
below.  It  st.'ems  almost  imj)ossibUi  to  hncl  water 
too  rapid  for  these  fish,  and  I  have  often  taken 
them  on  experimental  casts  from  a  seething,  mist- 
hidden  pool  directly  under  a  ten  or  twelve  foot 
heavy    fall.         The    power    derived     from     its    lar^e 

fins    and    tail,    easily    enables   it    to    move    through, 

13 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

and  rest  in  the  most  rapid  water,  and  l)y  tlu;  same 
power  it  can  jump  fully  twelve  feet  of  sheer  fall, 
as  I  have  fre([uently  seen  them  do.  Take  into 
consideration  the  rou^h  water  in  which  the  ouanan- 
iche is  hooked  and  played,  as  also  the  fact  that 
a  seven-ounce  rod  is  holdinLj^  a  ground  and  lofty 
tumblinsr  fish  a<{ainst  this  current,  and  some  idea 
can  be  had  of  the  merits  of  this  tishinsj:.  Such 
is  the  ouananiche,  or  land-locked  salmon  of  Lake 
St.  John.  Akin  to  the  salt-water  salmon  in  every 
particular,  except  size,  it  is  a  beautiful  fish  to  look 
upon,  the  stron<^est  and  hardest  fii^hter  that  I  have 
ever  met  with,  one  that  tests  the  tackle  and  skill 
of  the  anj^ler  to  the  fullest  extent;  in  total,  the 
kino-  of  fresh-water  fish. 

One  of  the  best  descriptions  of  the  Lj^ame  qual- 
ities of  the  ouananiche  that  I  have  ever  seen, 
appeared  in  the  Quebec  Chronicle  a  few  years 
a<^o,  and  it  so  impressed  me  that  I  have  always 
had  it  in  mind  since.  It  is  so  j^^ermane  to  the 
subject  in  hand,  that  it  is  worthy  of  repetition, 
and   I   will   reproduce  it  here: 

"In    proportion    to    their   size,    these    ouananiche 

are  the   gamiest    fish   that   swim.      They    are    pecu- 

14 


same 

fall, 

into 

man- 

that 

lofty 

idea 

Such 

^akc 

very 

look 

liave 

skill 

the 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

a  h^'ht   as  different   in   c„m,.a,-i,son    with   other   f  sh 
-  .s  that  u.,t     a  dark-colored   tront   hooked   in       e 
I'cav.est    rap.ds.    compared    with    the     half-he-  rted 
■;:"f' '■   °f   ''   '"-^y   '-'"Kerh-n,   in    a  cryst         L 
n  proportion   to  his   avoirdupois,    he   can   do   more 
ackle   smashmg,   ponnd    for  pound,    than   anv   flsl 
'■"     -nns.        His    leaps   are    terrific;    he    can    .^ 

a  Wack  bass  Ion,  odds,  and  then  show  him  poi 
in  liigh  jumping."  ''"''' 


[ual- 
een, 
ears 
vays 
the 
:ion, 


iche 
ecu- 


Where 


Wh 


ere 


I  well  remember  examining  a  map  of  the  Prov- 
ince of  Quebec  to  find  Lake  St.  John,  and  how 
to  get  there.  Located  as  it  is,  two  hundred  miles 
due  north  of  the  city  of  Quebec,  and  the  map 
showing  but  little  settlement,  and  giving  only  an 
imperfect  idea  of  what  is  beyond,  I  felt  as  though 
I  was  going  to  leave  the  confines  of  civilization 
far   behind. 

An  examination  to-day  of  the  latest  map  of  Ca- 
nada, will  convey  merely  an  idea  of  the  vastness 
of  the  primeval,  unsettled  forest  without  any  detail. 
Especially  north  of  Lake  St.  John  is  this  true; 
a  few  tracings  showing  only  the  rivers  will  in' 
dicate  all-— and  how  little  — known  of  the  terri- 
tory. But  little  effort  is  being  made  by  the  Gov- 
ernment  to   explore    and    map    it,   and   I    firmly  be- 

19 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

lieve  that  American  sportsmen  will  discover  the 
topography  first,  in  their  desire  to  find  new  hunt- 
ing and  fishing  grounds.  Lake  vSt.  John  is  by  far 
the  largest  body  of  water  to  be  found  for  several 
hundred  miles  north  of  the  St.  Lawrence  River. 
Bearing  the  Indian  name  Pikouagami,  this  inland 
sea  measuring  fully  30  miles  across  in  any  direc- 
tion, lies  deep  in  the  midst  of  the  old  Laurentian 
Mountains,  a  marvel  of  beauty  to  the  artist,  a  par- 
adise to  the  auixler.  Tributary  to  the  lake  are 
some  eighteen  rivers,  large  and  small,  flowing  from 
all  points  of  the  compass.  The  most  noted  are 
the  Ashuapmouchouan  from  the  northwest,  the 
Mistassini  from  the  north,  the  Peribonca  from  the 
northeast,  the  Metabetchouan  and  Ouiatchouan 
from  the  south,  the  Ouiatchouaniche  and  Iroquois 
from  the  west.  The  three  first  named  rivers  are 
respectively  300,  350  and  400  miles  in  length,  very 
deep,  and  will  average  from  one  and  a  half  to 
two   miles  wide  at  their  mouth. 

For  all  this  iireat  inrush  of  water,  but  one  outlet 
is  provided  by  nature,  the  Saguenay  River,  or  as 
it  is  termed  until  it  reaches  tide  water,  the  Grand 
Discharge.     Taking  its  course  through  a  mountain 


20 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

chasm  filled  with  rocks,  rapids  and  falls,  this 
great  body  of  water  hurls  itself  against  and  over 
the  opposing  barriers  with  mighty  strength,  boil- 
ing, surging  and  leaping  with  an  indescribable 
roar  and  confusion,  until  with  its  final  plunge  at 
Chicoutimi,  as  the  dark,  mysterious  Saguenay,  it 
quietly   seeks   the   sea. 

The   south   shore   of   Lake  St.  John,  cleared   back 
for   a  distance    of    about    three    miles,    is   settled   to 
some   extent;    back   of    this,    two-thirds    of    the    dis- 
tance   to    Quebec,    is    an    unbroken    forest.        From 
the   lake   north    to   St.    James    Bay,    it    is   absolutely 
unsettled  with   the  exception   of  a  few  Hudson  Hay 
Company  posts  and   depots  for  supplies.      Primeval 
forest,   a    network   of   rivers  and   lakes!      Who    can 
fully  gauge   the   success   that  awaits    the    hunter   or 
fisherman   who   penetrates   it?      Properly,    the  abid- 
ing   place    of    the    ouananiche,    the    Lake    St.    John 
country    offers     as     well     unequalled    trout    fishin^r 
and   splendid    hunting   for   large   and    small    game. 
Connected    now   with   Quebec   by    the   Quebec  and 
Lake  St.  John   Railroad,   the  trip  is  made  in  eight 
hours,   through   a  wild,   wooded    mountain   country, 
the   picturesqueness   of  which    relieves    the    journey 


21 


wmm 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

from  monotony  and  fatigue.  On  arrival  is  found 
the  Hotel  Roberval,  perfect  in  all  respects,  every 
facility  being  offered  the  sportsman  for  his  suc- 
cess and  every  effort  put  forth  for  the  comfort 
of  all.  Within  twenty-four  hours  ride  of  New  York, 
these  Canadian  Adirondacks  are  as  accessible  and 
convenient  in  all  ways  as  are  the  Adirondacks  of 
New  York   State. 

Ouananiche  fishing  is  found  only  in  Lake  St. 
John,  the  various  rivers  flowing  into  it,  and  the 
Grand  Discharge.  None  of  the  surrounding  lakes, 
unless  in  direct  connection  with  the  rivers,  con- 
tain them.  At  the  first  glance  this  is  apparently 
a  small  and  circumscribed  territory.  How  quickly, 
however,  will  the  first  visit  dispel  that  idea ;  the 
magnitude  of  the  lake,  the  length  and  breadth  of 
the  rivers,  will  prove  that  there  is  ample  room 
for   the    multitude    of   fishermen   who   may  visit  it. 

All  this  territory,  beginning  some  lo  or  12  miles 
south  of  the  lake,  including  12  miles  of  the  Grand 
Discharge,  and  extending  north  to  the  watershed 
of  the  great  rivers  mentioned,  embracing  all  the 
territ^^r  drained  by  them,  in  extent  over  100,000 
.quir:.  m'^'^s,  is  owned  by,  or  leased  to,   Mr.  H.  J. 


)iind 

very 
suc- 

ifort 
ork, 
and 

s  of 

St. 

the 
ikes, 
con- 
;ntly 
:kly, 

the 
1  of 
Dom 
t  it. 
liles 
■and 
;hed 

the 
,000 

I.J. 


:^!JixMiltffm!f.i 


X! 

o 


y, 


y, 
y< 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 


a-, 
•/J 
o 
05 


y, 
y. 


Bct'iiiLT  of  Montreal.  Tjx)!!  the  coni[)lL'tion  of  the 
railroad  from  Oiiebec,  Mr.  lU;enuM-,  rcco^niziiiL;'  the' 
value  of  the  country  to  sportsmen,  erect(!tl  tlu* 
magnificent  H(jtel  Roberval,  and  threw  open  with- 
out chari^e  this  immense  preserve  to  patrons  of 
the  house.  Three  years  later,  the  Island  House 
at  the  Grand  Discharge  was  built  under  the  same 
management,  for  the  convenience  of  fishermen  at 
that  point.  A  daily  communication  across  the 
lake,  between  the  two  hotels,  is  maintained  b)-  the 
larij^e  sidewheel   steamer  "  Mistassini." 

Naturally  the  most  convenient  place  to  \isit, 
and  affording-  at  all  seasons  oood  avera^re  fishiius 
the  Dischartre  attracts  the  Lrreater  number  of  vis- 
iters,  Imt  the  fishing-  pools  are  numberless,  and 
there  is  amjjle  room  for  all.  The  supply  of 
ouananiche  is  in  realitv  inexhaustible,  and  it  is 
certain  that  this  and  the  succeeding-  ^reneration  of 
anglers  will  fail  to  deplete  them.  For  trips  up 
any  of  the  rivers,  the  start  is  usually  made  from 
the  vicinity  of  the  Roberval,  guides  and  canoes 
being  engaged  there.  Provisions,  tents,  blankets, 
camp  kits — in  fact,  everything  needed  for  a  com- 
fortable camp — are  furnished  at  the  hotel. 

23 


B" 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

To  those  intending  to  visit  Lake  St.  John,  I 
would  advise  that  nothini;-  except  necessary  cloth- 
inpr  and  tackle  should  he  taken,  and  nothinj^  dif- 
ferent in  clothiuLT  from  that  used  in  the  New  York 
Adirondacks.  Althouirh  much  further  north  than 
the  Adirondacks,  the  w('ather  is  (juite  warm,  with 
occasional  very  hot  days,  the  niij^hts  only  provin_ii^ 
cold.  The  country  is  so  vast,  the  sport  both  in 
huntin<r  and  fishintr  so  varied,  the  facilities  for 
reachint^  it  so  i^ood,  the  conveniences  for  comfort 
so  complete,  that  it  seems  impossible  for  one  to 
make  a  trip  there  and   return   dissatisfied. 

How  different  is  all  this  from  the  Adirondack 
region  of  New  York,  which  formerly  offered  plenty 
of  fishing  and  hunting;  and  from  its  nearby  loca- 
tion, so  easy  of  access,  has  been,  and  Is  the  Mecca 
of  thousands  of  sportsmen.  The  relentless  lumber- 
man, a  railroad  dividing  this  region  in  twain, 
other  connecting  roads  under  way,  have  all  con- 
spired to  bring  about  the  early  clearing  of  the 
forest,  and  the  rapid  disappearance  of  the  deer 
and  trout,  formerly  so  abundant.  Many  preserves 
have  been  taken  up  by  clubs  for  the  use  of  their 
members    only,    thus    reducing    a    territory    already 


>■'  tr:- '  vt  •MP'.-*?*',  ■ei-^i.  i*v-i.  -^.-i 


.■si»»?*f,»«h-iii-Wf«Kip'l 


s&siiniiaiiiMiiiiiiMHiiii 


if.^t«  .-,*»«'•*»'-«■  ■*4i»«W«w»(* 


ii«  .nd<.|iiii*Miimfi  wwiiww<»^«>>Mw»taMtwwwitf'^<iy..^*#i<<iWM|Bi^^         '• 


9^  ,-.— 


'^ 


^X- 


1 


i 

i    A' 


\ 


^ 


,/ 


'I 


>*W>Ji..\ 


..^^ 


if, 


f::^ 


*-i 


S. 


<.3.. 


'\ 


>. 


^»^ 


r.V<;K 


i 


iww&m ' » 'wrtidbiii 


M^ 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

circumscribed,  open  to  other  seekers  for  sport,  to 
small  and  confined  sections  that  are  fairly  high- 
ways of  travel,  and  overrun.  Others  recognize 
these  facts  as  well  as  I,  and  that  the  end  must 
come — is  near  at  hand.  Nothing  therefore  is  left 
but  to  change  one's  grounds.  The  Lake  St.  John 
country  offers  every  inducement ;  a  new  country, 
and  a  new  fish,  plenty  of  trout  and  game,  will 
reward  the  sportsman  so  amply,  that  he  will  ex- 
claim, as  did   L   "Eureka!" 


I 


When 


Wh 


en 


The  question  as  to  the  proper  time  to  i^^o  to 
Lake  St.  John  for  ouananiche  is  often  asked  me. 
Fortunately,  the  season  is  of  such  duration,  and 
the  fishing-  ahvays  so  good,  that  it  will  suit  the  va- 
cation  time  of  almost  all. 

The  season  for  ouananiche  fishing  is  at  any  time 
from  the  breaking  up  of  the  ice  in  the  spring, 
until  the  close  of  the  open  season.  The  fishing 
is  always  there,  good  at  all  times  during  the  time 
mentioned,  but  must  be  soui^ht  after  in  different 
waters  as  the   season   advances. 

The  ice  breaks  up  in  Lake  St.  John  anywhere 
from  May  15th  to  June  ist,  generally  ai)out  May 
20th.  The  Hotel  Roberval  opens  about  June  ist, 
and    closes    September    15th,     thus    accommodating 


2() 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

an<j^lers  at  all  times.  Between  thes(^  dates  is  the 
proper  time  for  ouananiche;  before  June  ist  it  is 
too  early  and  cold.  With  September  15th  begins 
the  close  season,  'extending  to  December  ist.  From 
the  breaking  up  -1  the  ice  until  about  June  loth 
to  15th,  the  fishing  is  entirely  in  the  bays  at  the 
mouth  of  the  smaller  rivers  emptying  into  the  lake, 
notably  the  Oi^^-^'^  liouan,  Ouiatchouaniche,  and 
Mctabetchouan.  Fi^.  >  j^ine  15th  to  July  ist  to 
loth  the  fishing  is  conML";!  to  the  Grand  Dis- 
chars^e. 

F'ollowing  this,  the  July,  August  and  September 
fishing  is  to  be  had  at  best  in  the  larger  rivers, 
the  Ashouapmouchouan,  Mistassini,  and  Peribonca. 
As  these  latter  months  advance,  the  ouananiche 
must  be  followed  on  their  course  up  these  rivers 
towards  the  spawning  beds. 

Fair  fishinor  can  be  had  in  the  Discharire  at 
all  times,  but  a  good  angler  appreciates  fishing 
best,  when  success  is  attended  by  a  fair  amount 
of  work  to  attain  it.  Therefore  will  he  seek  the 
more  distant  pools  of  the  rivers  last  mentioned, 
and  always  return  satisfied  with  his  trip,  the  un- 
equalled   sport    he    has    had,    and    his    catch.      It    is 

30 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

no  exagcreration  to  say  that  orood  catches  can  al- 
ways be  had.     True,   there  are  days  when, 

"Wiiul    from   the   cast, 
The   fish   bite   least," 

prevail,  the  elements  conspire  to  prevent,  or  tiie 
fish  themselves  are  not  running-.  However,  a  week 
or  ten  days  spent  at  the  proper  place  at  the 
proper  times  mentioned,  will  insure  a  satisfactory 
catch. 

In  five  years'  experience  I  have  heard  but  one 
opinion  in  regard  to  catching  this  land-locked  sal- 
mon, and  that  is  that  it  far  surpasses  fishing-  for 
any  other  fresh-water  fish. 

There  have  been  a  very  few  who  visited  I.ake 
,St.  John  with  only  one  or  two  days  in  which  to 
fish,  and  being  limited  in  time,  had  necessarily  to 
go  to  the  Grand  Discharge,  although  either  too 
late  in  the  season  for  that  point,  or  had  a  day 
when  the  fishing  was  not  at  its  best,  entailing  poor 
catches,  or  little  sport.  Ouananiche,  like  trout  or 
bass,  will  at  times  fight  poorly,  but  onl\-  at  times. 
To-da)'  deadened  and  stupefied  by  the  conditions 
of  the  water  and  elements,  to-morrow  \er)'  much 
alive  and  fighting  as  thev  alone  can   fioht. 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

A  hurried  trip  to  Lake  St.  John  for  fishiiiL^  is 
not  to  he  advised.  At  least  two  weeks  should  be 
taken,  which,  excludini^  the  time  spent  on  the  jour- 
ney, will  leave  at  least  a  week  or  ten  days — suf- 
ficient to  visit  any  point  where  the  best  fisbini^ 
may   prevail. 

For  fishini^  the  Grand  Discharge,  the  fisher- 
man makes  his  headquarters  at  the  Island  House, 
making  daily  canoe  trips  to  the  various  pools;  or, 
if  preferred,  a  camping-  trip  can  be  made  as  far 
down  as  Isle  Maleine.  It  is  l)eyond  the  power 
of  description  to  convey  an  idea  of  the  grandeur, 
excitement  and  thrilling  experiences  which  attend 
canoe  hshing  in  the  Discharge.  Seemingly  impas- 
sable rapids  are  descended,  the  skill  of  the  Ca- 
nadian, or  Indian  canoemen  s-ruidino;  the  canoe 
easily  between  and  around  rocks,  through  swift 
currents  and  heaving  pools,  now  crossing  rapids 
close  above  a  fall  or  the  boiling  waters  below, 
until  one  enters  fully  into  the  excitement,  all  fear 
allayed. 

In  undertaking  a  camping  trip  up  the  larger 
rivers,  the  start  can  be  made  l)y  canoe  from  the 
hotel,    or   time   can    be    saved    bv    taking    the    small 


32 


r     IS 

I  be 
OLir- 
-suf- 


linnr 


her- 
Lise, 
or, 
far 
wer 
nir, 
md 
)a.s- 
Ca- 
loe 
nft 
ids 

)VV, 

2ar 


^er 
he 
all 


!/3 

&4 


'A 


O 
O 


[I 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

steamer  "Undine."  In  llu:  event  of  lu.-avy  winds, 
this  would  he  absolutely  necessary,  as  the'  lake;  is 
then  impassable  for  canoes.  IJy  takin.Li"  tlu.'  steamer, 
puttino-  the  canoes,  provisions,  etc.!  aboard  and 
ascendino-  the  Peribonca  or  Mistassini  as  far  as 
navioation  is  possiblcN  the  .L^reater  part  of  a  day 
can  be  saved.  A  like  savin-  can  be  effected  in 
a  trip  up  the  Ashouapmouchouan,  by  cartinu-  canoes 
and  bagoacrc  oN-cr  a  fair  road  around  the  lu'ad 
of  the  lake  to  P,ear  I<alls  on  tht;  river,  where  the 
fishino-  commences  and   the  canoe   trip  becrins. 

A  trip  that  has  been  but  seldom  taken^  and  one 
offerino-  the  greatest  possibilities  for  successful  flsh- 
in<,r,  is  to  leave  the  river  some  40  miles  above 
Lake  St.  John,  thence  to  oo  by  river  and  porta<,re 
to  Lake  a-Jim,  where  trout  and  ouananiche  abound. 
Thence  again  through  various  streams.  i)onds  and 
portage  to  the  Mistassini,  where  the  famous  fish- 
ing pools  of  the  iM'fth  I'alls  can  be  fished  and  the 
return  made  down  that  rix-er.  At  least  two  weeks 
are  required   to   make   this  trij). 

The  Fifth  l^^alls  of  the  Mistassini,  from  their  for- 
mation, afford  one  of  the  finest  ouananiciK-  pools 
in   the   whole  territory.      The   falls  are   full\-   30  feet 

33 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

in  iu'iL>iu,  ami  unless  t\ni  wattT  is  of  LTootl  liciuht, 
th(;  fish  cannot  ascend  thcni ;  as  a  consccjucncc;, 
the:  pool  l)c'l()\y  nearly  always  affords  tine  tishini:^. 
Tht:  falls  are  reached  by  canoe  in  a  day  and  a 
half  from  the  hotel.  The  Peribonca  is  usually  as- 
cended as  far  as  Lake  Tshota^ama,  distant  about 
50  miles  from  the  Roberval.  On  this  trip  there 
are  eleven  falls,  around  t.'ach  of  which  a  portaij^e 
must  be  made,  two  da)s'  stead)'  canoeing-  being" 
necessary  to  reach  the  lake.  Here  are  found 
ouananiche  of  larg^e  size  and  plentiful,  a  fine;  camp- 
ing  place   and   most   magnificent   mountain  scenery. 

I  have  neglected  to  state  that  all  trips  are  made 
bv  means  of  birch  bark  canoes.  These  are  built 
by  the  Indians  and  are  marvels  of  beauty,  strength 
and  lightness.  More  comfortable  by  far  than  a 
boat,  they  are  absolutely  safe.  In  fact,  many 
waters  now  accessible  throuijh  their  medium,  could 
not  be  reached  in  a  small  boat  of  any  other  de- 
scription. 

Other  trips  without  number  can  be  made,  but 
I  have  noted  only  those  that  I  have  found  to  be 
the  easiest  and  where  at  the  proper  time  satisfac- 
tory success  can   be  had. 

34 


.ncv., 

d    i, 
as- 

30Ut 

lere 

unci 

mp- 

LTy. 

acic 

uilt 

gth 

1    a 

my 

uld 

de- 

JLlt 

be 
ac- 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

It    would    take    a    lono-    chapter    to    (k-scrilu:    even 
I    few    of    tlic    many    trips    possible     for    trout    and 


anu.',    and    for    that 


detail    only    those    that    should 


reason    I    have    mentioned 


HI 


for  the   best   of 


proper!)-     be    niad( 


ouananiche   tishini--.      Mr.  i\'itte 


rson, 


who    has    charox!    of    the     ouldes    at     the    Roberval 
and   who    for   many   years   was   in   the    Hudson    Hay 

in,   will   suL!L^est 


Company's   employ  at    Lake  St.    |ol 


and    describe    numberh 


ess    places    to     visit    for    suc- 


cessful   huntin^r   or    fishin^-   of   any    kind.        In    th 
past    his    business    has    caused     h 
in  all  direction 


e 


ini    1(1    mak(.'    trips 
s,   and   almost  every   foot   of  the   ter- 

lim.      One   has   but 


ritory    is    perfectly    familiar   to   1 
to    su^^rorest    the    kind    of    sport     wanted    and    the 

le  will   plan   the 


length   of  time   to    be    spent,    and   1 
trips  and   arrancrc   all   detaih 
Owinu;   to   this   arrano-ement.   th 


St.   John    for   the    first    t 

they  will   know   at   once   the   best   pi 

good   sport   and   how   to   reach   them. 


ose   visitino-   Lake 

ime    can    feel   assured   that 

aces  to  o()   for 


How 


37 


H 


()\V 


"I'Vlt   the    loose    line   jerk   and    li^li.Len  ; 
As   he   drew  it   in,    it   tn,i;<;e(l    so 
That   the    hirch    hark    canoe   stood    endwise." 

Aptly    do    the    words    of    Hiawatha    jjortray,    in 
part,   what    I   wish   to  describe. 

"How!"  A  small  word  indeed,  hut  what  a 
task  its  e\[)lanation  sets  hefon;  me  to  perform. 
Should  I  beoin  by  confessiiio-  that  I  do  not  know 
how  to  catch  ouananiche  myself,  I  beliexe  that 
I  would  ap[)roximate  the  truth.  'Hie  more  time 
one  spends  in  this  fishing-,  ami  the  more;  one 
studies  the  tish,  tlu^  sooner  on(;'s  belief  is  str(,'n<'th- 
enecl  thrit  the  knowletl^i;  which  should  follow  prac- 
tice! L;rows  less  instead  of  greater.  With  ex|)er;' 
ence  in  catching"  ouananiche,  one  formulates  cer- 
tain   itleas    as    to    the    [)roper    wa)-    to    strike    them. 

39 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

to  play  them,  and  to  land  them.  Suddenly  a 
change  comes  over  the  spirit  of  the  fish,  and  the 
supposed  proper  methods  arf  far  better  to  honor 
in  the  breach  rather  than  in  the  observance.  These 
changes  are  radical,  and  oft-occurring;  applying  as 
well  to  just  where  to  find  them  as  to  their  action 
when  strikinuf  and  when   hooked. 

I  have  before  mentioned  that  the  ouananiche 
are  great  fighters,  surpassing  even  the  trout  and 
black  bass  in  this  particular;  and  it  would  almost 
seem  as  though  there  was  method  in  their  fight, 
they  vary  it  in   quality  but  not  in  quantity. 

To-day  they  are  to  be  caught  only  in  the  white, 
boiling  water  just  under  a  fall,  to-morrow  in  the 
more  quiet  water  beyond ;  to-da)'  the)-  fight  when 
hooked,  b)'  constantly  leaping  from  the*  water,  to- 
morrow by  running  and  sulking  deep  down ;  now 
they  make  prodigious  jumps  for  a  passing  darning 
needle,  or  some  other  member  of  the  moiiclic 
famil\-,  and  are  not  to  be  tempted  by  any  of  our 
flies.  Again  they  rise  quickly  to  any  color  or 
kintl  of  cast  that  we  may  give  them. 

When  an  ouananiche  is  hooked,  he  is  not  even 
half  caught ;  as  ni)-  guides  w  ould  say,  ''Jh'cbis  comp- 

4" 


r  a 
the 
lor 
sse 
as 
on 

he 
lid 

)St 

n, 

e, 
le 
;n 

0- 

vv 

<r 
f> 

IC 

ir 
•r 

n 


■li 


03 
►J 


a 
o 


2 

X 

x 


'Ji 


O 


i3 

< 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 


tecs,  ic  loiip  Ics  maiioc/'  trul 


their   chickens    before    tl 


y  one   should   not 


count 


ouananiche   before   the\-  are   netted, 
ic    ouananiclie    has    one    mortal 


K'v   are    hatched,    nor    their 


Tl 


pickerel     {brochct),     w 
abounds,    and    which    c. 


cnenn-    \\\    the 


n 


ith     which      Lake     St,     Joh 
row    to    enormous    si/e.       I 
have    frequently    cau-ht    ouananiche    bearinu-    huve 
scars,  both  recent  and  old,  sh 


from  the  en 


<)\\in<>-  narrow  esc, 


hooked,   and  attribut 


c-my.     Perhaps  feelino"  t, 


ipi 


le  wou 


nd 


wnen 


in.^-   it   to   their   natural 


m 


ay   have   somethino-   to   d 


enenn' 


o   \\ 


n    an 


fii^du  as  they  will.     I 
do  is  simply  tremendous 


causniL'' 


th 


em    to 


y  event,  the  fiyhtinw-  they 


\\\    rouo-h    water    the    ouananiche    is    rarel 


when    he   takes   the   ily,    the   cl 
ino-  his  strike.     The  first  int 


it  jump  from  the  water  in   th 


\     seen 

lojjpy  waxes  conceal- 

imation   will   be   to  see 


and    a    severe    tighten i 


c  vicinity  of  the  casi 


this    occurs    when    the    cast    is  1 


no-    strain    on    the    li 


ne 


If 


)cino;  drawn    in    and 


the  rod  elevated  back,  somethino-  will   break  unless 
it    is   possible   for   the   tip   to   1 


)c   rajjidlv   tdven. 


If 


in    smooth   water,    the   strike   can   be   seen,    and   the 
tip  given   at   once. 

Strike  the   fish   firmly,  but  without  a  sharp  jerk, 

41 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

as  th(.'y  usually  hook  only  in  the  lip,  liL,^htly,  and 
the  lly  is  easily  torn  out.  h'ollow  at  once  by  tlraw- 
m^^  (juickly  an  absolutely  tig"ht  line,  never  relax, 
even  an  inch.  Stop  the  reel,  draw  out  between 
the  reel  and  first  ring  from  three  to  four  feet  of 
line  taut  in  the  left  hand,  (jive  the  fish  the  butt 
of  the  rod  as  much  as  possil)le,  hold  it  absolutely 
tight  without  giving  line  except  when  it  leaps; 
then  slightly  drop  the  tip  and  follow  the  leap  with 
the  necessary  line  from  that  held  in  the  left  hand. 
Being  held  absolutely  in  check  without  slack,  the 
fish  runs  only  within  a  short  radius,  pulling  usu- 
ally with  all  its  strength ;  this  may  result  in  laming 
the  wrist,  but  more  fish  are  saved.  If  preferred, 
the  reel  can  be  used  and  the  ouananiche  allowed 
to  run,  but  they  turn  and  return  so  quickly  that 
the  slack  can  not  easily  be  recovered ;  result,  that 
another  run  with  the  slack  tiirhtens  the  line  with 
a  jerk,  the  hook  is  torn  out  or  broken,  and  the 
fish  gone.  Individually,  I  find  an  automatic  reel 
preferable,  as  It  will  take  the  slack  as  rapidly  as 
given,  and  to  it  I  attribute  the  saving  of  many 
fish.  Never  hurry  the  fish,  or  attempt  to  lead  it 
to    the    net    until    satisfied    that    it    Is    thoroughly 

42 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

tired  out,  and  do  not  relax  tlu;  strain,  or  watcli- 
fulncss.  until  safely  netted.  An  ouananiclK;  of 
about  3  pounds  wei^crju  will  retjuire  fully  fifteen 
to  twenty  minutes  or  more,  to  kill  it,  and  it  will 
fi.!L,du  hard  every  moment. 

Now   it  will  leap   from   the  water  anywhere  from 
two   or   three   to   a   dozen    times,    risin^r    fully    three 
or    four    feet    from    the    surface,    returnin,Lr    to    the 
water    only    to    make    an    immediate    wild    rush    to- 
ward   the    bottom.        If    near    a    fall,    it    will    make 
many  attempts  to  rush   under  the  fallini^r  water,   or 
in    the    rough    part    of    the    rapids,    there    to    sulk, 
pull,  and  often  shake  violently  to  release  the  hook. 
Then  perhaps,  a  rush  toward  the  f^siierman,  a  quick 
turn   and   deep    down    again,   a    moment's    rest    and 
then   a   violent   race   to   and   fro,   as  far  as   the  line 
wdl  permit.     The  jumps  are  quick,  and  occur  when 
least  expected   often  following  one  another  in  quick 
succession,      In  fact,  the  fish  are  never  at  rest,   but 
change  their  tactics  every  moment:  each  fish  fights 
differentl)',    the    method    pursued    in     catching     one 
will    scarcely    apply    to    the    next.       The    hand    and 
mind    must    act    in    unison     (juickly,    and    both    will 
be  thoroughly  occupied.      There  are  .w  many  '' ifs'' 

43 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

tliat  it  is  cas)-  to  iiiKlerstand  liow  ([iicstionaljlci  is 
tlu!  saviiiL;'  of  tin:  Tish  after  l)ciiiL;-  hooked.  Jf  well 
hookc^cl,  if  tlu;  hook  shall  tear  out.  or  if  the  hook, 
leader,  line  or  rod  shall  not  break.  W\  prei)arcd 
to  lose,  as  a  rule,  more  lish  than  )()U  save; ;  that 
is   the  common   ex[)erience. 

In  rejjard  to  the  selection  of  tackle;,  the;  greatest 
care  must  be  uscid.  I  fmd  that  an  "  ]'y  silk  line 
with  a  6-foot  leader  is  best,  and  am  ahva)'s  sure 
that  my  leaders  and  llies  are  new,  well  made',  and 
will  sLand  a  ij^ood  prior  test.  An  "  1{ "  line  bein^" 
hea\')',  is  less  liable  to  break,  and  cannot  be  cut 
by  the  rocks  when  drawn  across  them,  as  fre- 
quently happens  in  playini;"  a  fish.  A  short  leader 
is  necessary  to  prevent  its  beint^-  tangled  in  the 
rouiJ^h  water  of  the  ra|)ids,  or  from  the  violent  play' 
of  the  fish. 

All  amblers  have  their  favorite  rods,  either  split 
bamboo,  lancewood,  or  greenheart.  All  are  good 
— the  lighter  and  more  sprin'>\'  tht;\'  are,  the 
better.  Rods  from  6^  to  8  ounces  in  weight  are 
the  best,  although  lii/hter  and  e\en  much  heavier 
ones  are  used.  The  practical  point  is  to  have 
plenty  of    them,   at  least  two  or  three,  with  several 

44 


The  Leaping  Ouananichc 


Ed 

a 


extra  tips.  Broken  rods,  and  tijjs  cspcciail)-,  are 
a  frctpicntly  occurring;  contini^^cncy  of  ouananichti 
fish  in  j^;'. 

I'lioht  or  ti'n  varieties  form  an  ample  variety  of 
flies,  and  most  of  them  should  Ik;  tii'd  on  No.  4 
hooks.  The  Jock  Scott,  Silver  Doctor,  Hrown 
Hackle,  Cow  Dung,  Seth  (Ireen,  Lord  Baltimore, 
Parmacheene  Belle,  and  Scarlet  Ibis,  I  have  al- 
ways found  to  give  me  sufficient  variety,  and  1 
have  rarely  used  anything  else.  A  good  supply 
should  be  taken,  since  those  not  broken  soon  be- 
come worn  and  battered  from  violent  usa^-^e.  are 
useless  and  need  to  be  fre(iuently  renewed.  I  find, 
as  a  rule,  that  the  most  successful  cast  is  Cow 
Dung  or  Brown  Hackle  for  trailer,  and  a  Jock 
Scott  or  Silver  Doctor  for  dropper.  Use  two  flies 
only,  and  fasten  the  dropper  at  the  last  knot  on 
the  leader  next  to  the  line.  By  doing  this,  it  will 
skip  the  surface  better,  and  will  take  most  of  the 
fish,  as  its  action  seems  to  attract  them  more. 

To  give  advice  just  how  to  fish   for  ouananiche, 

md  to  make    fishing  successful,    is  an   utter   impos- 

^^ibility;  general  information  only  can  be  given.     It 

is    practically    necessary    to    know   what    to   take   in 

45 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

the  way  of  cl()tll'^i^^  tackle,  etc..  as  one  Is  too  far 
removed  from  a  hasc;  of  siipphes  to  iL^et  anythini; 
that  ma)"  be  needed.  It  is  necessary  also  to  know 
what  one  has  to  combat  with  in  catchinir  the 
ouananiche.  what  to  use,  and  in  a  j^^eneral  way  how 
to  use  't.  Such  knowledire  to  the  angrier  tishinijf 
these  waters  for  the  first  time,  will  save  him  much 
vexation,  a  (juantit)'  of  broken  tackle,  and  per- 
chance some  fish.  l>eyond  this,  his  own  acquired 
e.\i)erience  will  be  his  guide.  I^xperience  alone 
can  prove  his  teacher.  As  the  Trench  say,  ".  / 
force  lie  Joroe?'  on  devient  foi\^erojr — practice  alone 
makes  {perfect.  Previous  fishinjj^  experience  is  a 
j^Teat  aid,  but  the  ouananiche  is  so  totalh'  dif- 
ferent from  other  fi^h  that  it  is  like  learnin'''  a 
new   art   to   successfulh'   an<;le   for   and   land   it. 

When  fishiuL;'  the  pools  in  the  rivers,  it  is  i^en- 
erally  better,  and  more  convenient,  to  fish  from 
the  rocks,  but  in  the  Cirand  Dischari^e  one  can 
more  readily  reach  the  pools  from  a  canoe. 

Imagine  yourself  in   the  midst  of  a  boilinii^  rapid. 

your  canoe  dancinL(  and  boundini^'  on   the  troubled 

waters,       \'()u    make  a   cast,   and  \()u   have   hooked 

an   ouananiche,  or  perhaps  two,  as  sometimes   hap- 

46 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

pens.  Here  \oii  have  excitement  he)'oncl  compare. 
IinaL;ln(.:  the  skill  iiecessar)-  to  handle  antl  save 
them;  your  xaried  emotions;  \-oiir  surroundings 
— all — and  then  one;  full)'  appreciates  that  he  is 
en^aj^ed  in  the  fnn'st  fishiuL;"  known.  No  rittin^- 
euloL^y  can  be  i^ixen  such  fishiiiL;-.  Only  those 
who  have  been  fortunate  enough  to  enjo\-  it  can 
understand  and   ap[)reciate. 

lUit  one  pro\iso  is  to  Ixt  made  to  insun?  satis- 
factory success  in  ouananiche  hshiuL;',  and  that  is 
to  take!  sufhcient  time  to  fairly  test  them  in  tlie 
rit>ht  \vater>;  at  th.e   riLiht  times   mentioned. 


/•.7 


other  Sport  to  be  Had 


49 


Other   Sport   to   be    Had 


\^'lri(Jty  is  iiuK-ccl  a  spice  that  adds  niatcrially 
to  an\-  kind  of  a  trip  undertaken  for  sport.  Xo 
matter  how  oood  th(."  lishin^-  or  liiintin^-  for  any 
particular  Tish  or  oanie  may  he,  if  other  kinds  can 
be  obtained  in  the  same  neiL;hl)orh()()d,  one  tires 
of  constantl\-  working-  to  secm-e  (jne,  and  will  seek 
the  other  also. 

I'sually  when  trips  are  made,  with  special  kinds 
of  lishino-  or  hunting-  in  view,  but  little  else  than 
that  sought  can  be  obtained,  ami  from  force  of 
circumstances  one  must  be  content,  whether  tlie 
sport   jje  L;-ood   or  bad. 

I  know  of  no  one  section  of  c()untr\-  thai  af- 
fords such  a  -reat  variety  of  fish  and  -\-ime  as  does 
the  Lake  St.  John  territ(.ry ;  and  that  too,  \n  al- 
most any  part  that  may  be  visited.     All  the  smaller 

51 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

streams  and  lakes  afford  the  very  finest  trout  fish- 
inL(.  All  the  larij^er  lakes  and  rivers  contain  pick- 
erel and  pike  (dorc).  Moose  are  still  quite  numer- 
ous, and  caribou  very  frecjuentl)-  seen.  Hlack  bear 
are  met  with  on  all  sides.  Of  the  smaller  L^ame, 
ducks  of  all  kinds,  and  spruce  partridi^e  are  found 
in  j^reater  numbers  than  I  have  ever  seen  else- 
where. Mink,  martin,  otter  and  muskrat  are  quite 
plentiful,   and  beaver  occur  in  limited  numbers. 

There  is  such  a  network  of  rivers,  streams  and 
lakes  in  this  rei^ion  that  it  is  doubtful  if  one  can 
go  over  half  a  mile  in  an)'  direction  without  en- 
countering one  or  the  other.  Of  this  vast  number, 
comparatively  few  have  been  fished,  and  those  but 
little,  so  that  one  is  p-iven  the  choice  of  followinir 
beaten  trails,  or  seeking  new  waters.  In  either 
event,  the  success  will  prove  more  than  satisfying. 
Apart  from  that  by  the  native  Indians,  who  trap 
almost  entirely,  but  little  hunting  has  been  done 
here ;  as  a  consequence  the  game  is  very  plentiful, 
and  is  easily  reached.  As  the  season  for  moose 
and  caribou  opens  September  ist,  and  ouananiche 
fishing   closes    September    15th,    and    trout    fishing 

October  1st,  September  is  an   ideal   month  to  visit 

5a 


fish- 

u'ck- 

ncr- 

)ear 

me, 

ind 

Ise- 

litc 


md 

:an 

^n- 

er, 

>ut 

no- 

er 

^^• 

le 

>e 

le 


It 


m 


u. 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 


o 


Lake  St.  John,  as  both  fishino-  and  luintin^;  arc 
open  at  the  same  time.  ThcMi.  too,  the  bctc  uoir 
of  the  woods,  the  hhick  (lies,  m()S([uit()es  and 
punkies.  are  uonc.  Of  the  nia^^niticent  trout  fish- 
inc^r  to  be  found  in  these  Canadian  Ach'rondacks, 
enough  cannot  be  said,  nor  can  justice  be  done  it. 
No  "fish  stories"  can  be  told  of  this  country,  as 
the  possibiHties  are  unlimited.  According-  to  the 
waters  you  seek,  do  you  ^^vX  lar^e  tish  or  small, 
as  the  case  may  be. 

Last  season,   two  of  us  took  in   four  hours  from 
Lac    de    Helle    Riviere,    two    hundretl     and    twenty- 
five  trout,   eleven  wei^diinn^   -i^  to  y/.  pounds,  and 
the   balance   from    l/^  to   2]/.  pounds.     This  year   in 
the    same    waters,    with     storm\-    weather,    we     took 
exactly   the   same    number    in   eleven    hours,   weic-h- 
ino-    .),/    to    2l{    pounds.         Another    catch    shown, 
caujrht   in   one   pool    in   an    hour,  comprised   twentv- 
eio-ht.    weighing-    90    pounds.      These    catches    men- 
tioned are  not  isolated  cases,   but  such  as  any  one 
can   make   in    the   same,    or   many   other   places.       I 
refer    to  brook   trout   {S.    fontifialis)    onl)-.   as   lake, 
or  salmon  trout,  are  almost  unknown  in  these  waters. 
Fishino-  with   the   lly   only   is  i)racticed.  and  the  hun- 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

p^ry  fish  will  tak^'  almost  any  lure,  plain  or  iraudy. 
The  same  tlics  and  tackle;,  used  in  ouananiche 
fishinjr,  are  suitable  for  trout.  In  fact,  llics  with 
No.  4  hooks  are  best,  as  they  frequently  fail  to 
hook  small  fish  that  are  not  wanted,  and  would 
be  thrown  back.  Individual  fish  have  frequently 
been  taken,  weisj^hinii^  from  six  to  ten  pounds,  and 
many  more  will  be  tempted  from  the  deep,  black 
waters  in  the  future,  as  neither  this  nor  the  com- 
ing generation  will  see  the  fishing  impaired.  Dis- 
tant trips  must  be  made  for  trout  as  well  as  ouanan- 
iche, although  I  have  frequently  caught  150  or 
more  .small  trout  on  the  Ouiatchouaniche,  (Mght  or 
nine   miles   distant   from   the   hotel. 

Fine  pickerel  fishing  can  be  had  by  trojling  in 
Lake  St.  John,  the  (irand  Discharge,  and  many 
of  the  tributary  rivers,  some  fish  of  immense  size 
being  taken.  Those  from  1 2  to  20  pounds  are 
common,  and  some  weighing  from  30  to  40  pounds 
are  not  infrequently  caught.  Dore  (pike)  of  good 
size  are  also  taken,  and  frequently  large  ouanan- 
iche will  take  the  spoon.  Some  No.  4  and  7 
spoons   of   various  kinds,   and   strong  trolling  lines 

should  always  be  included  in  the  tackle  outfit.     It 

54 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

is  often  a  relief  to  chan.crc:  from  lly-fishiiiLr  to 
trollino-.  especially  when  such  ^^nod  fishini;  can  he 
had  in  this  way.  The  pickerel  cau,i;ht  in  these 
waters  are  not  to  be  classi'd  as  maskinonjj^e,  as  this 
latter  fish    is   never   found   anywhere   here. 

A  visit  of  i^reat  interest — a  jaunt  to  fill  in  a  day 
between    trips— is   a    trip    to    tlu;    reservation    and 
yearly   encampment   of   the   Monta^nais   Indians  at 
Pointe  Bleue,  on  the  south  shore  of  Lake  .St.   fohn, 
five  miles  from  the   Hotel  Roberval.      In  the  midst 
of  the  reservation   is   located  a  post  of  the  Hudson 
Hay   Company.       Here    the   Indians    assemble    each 
year  to  dispose  of  the  furs  secured  durin<^^  the  i)re- 
vious  winter,    in    barter  for    the    necessary   clothin<i- 
and   for  provisions  to  carry   tliem   throui^di  another 
huntincr   season.      Here,  too,  they   build   their   birch 
bark  canoes,  and  arran^Lj^e  their  huntini,^  t^rounds.     By' 
the    I  St    of    September,    the    various    families    have 
started    out,    each    to    the    point    selected.       In    all 
directions  they  go,  many  far  to   the  north,  seekin^^ 
the  wilds  of  the   Hudson  Hay  coast.     Once  arrived, 
they    erect    their    simple    cotton    tents,    which    they 
heat    with  a  small  sheet   iron   stove,   and    in    which 
they   live   durinL,^   their    winter    hunt.        Hut    few    of 

55 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

tluMii  list:  fircjirnis,  as  ihr.y  successfully  rcl)'  upon 
tlu'ir  inL,^(Mii()us  traps  for  l)()th  small  and  lari,,^!:  game. 
This  race  of  Indians,  while  of  the  Crec;  family, 
differ  in  that  the\'  are  ver\'  black  ;  mostl)'  C'hristian- 
ized,  they  are  a  particular!)'  honest,  nomadic  people:. 
Their  knowletl^i^e  of  this  countrx.  near  and  far,  is 
perfect,  and  therefore  man\'  are  selected  as  jj^uides ; 
and  better  workers,  or  more  faithful  ones,  cannot 
be  found.  Nearl\  all  speak  brench — but  a  few 
Enirlish.  In  fact,  b'rench  alone:  is  the:  lan^aiaL^e 
of  the  c()untr\-. 

b'rom  Lake  St.  John  to  Chicoutimi,  the  head  of 
naviLjation  on  the  .Sanuena)',  intervene  40  or  50 
miles  of  rapids.  Man\'  who  prefer  to  return  to 
Ouebec  by  steamer  throuij^h  the  far  famed  SaiTuenay 
and  St.  Lawrence  Rivers,  make  the  voyajj^e  to  Chic- 
outimi b)'  canoe  through  these  rapids.  It  is  made 
in  a  day,  and  a  ij^rand  and  thrilling;-  trip  it  is.  Easier 
to  imai.;int:  than  describe,  it  has  been  made  hun- 
dretls  of  times,  and  never  has  a  fatal  accident  oc- 
curred. This  is  owint;'  to  the  i)erfect  skill  of  the 
("anadian  and  Indian  canoemen  who  make  the  trij). 
Hroui^ht  up  from  childhf)od  to  handle  a  canoe, 
they     navii^ate     the    rapids    with     absolute     safety. 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

After  tlu'  novlci!  In  tlu-sc  waters  Ikis  run  the  (Irst 
few  rapids,  the  fact  that  their  untutoreil  skill  and 
a  sheet  of  hircli  hark  only  separates  one  from 
eternity,  is  for^rotten.  iJy  those  K-ss  venturesome, 
the  journey  can  now  he  mach:  hy  rail,  as  a  branch 
road  was  completed  from  Lake  St.  John  to  Chic- 
outimi  last  year.  'l\)o  much  cannot  he  said  in 
favor  of  the  Lake  St.  John  country.  Its  resources 
for  huntino-  and  fishin-;-  are  absolutely  unlimited. 
I'^nou^^di  of  both,  as  has  been  proven  beyond  (jues- 
tion,  is  to  be  had.  A  detailed  account  of  the  many 
trips  to  l)c  taken,  would  prove  nothin<^^  more  than 
I  have  already  stated,  si  net-  what  I  have  written  is 
deduced  from   actual   experience. 

My  enthusiasm   is  neither    too    j^^rcit,   nor  unwar- 

mmense    countrv 


and  return  with  any  selfish  feelin 


'•■s. 


Th 


ere  is  room 


for  all,   and   what    I    hav('    1 


earned    from   experie-nce 


I  am  only  too  glad  to  be  able  to  impart  to  fellow 
sportsmen,  who  are  seekini^r  a  wilderness  where 
sport  of  all  kinds  is  plenty;  where;  a  short  or  Ion*-" 
vacation  can  be  taken  with  ecpial  success  anil  satis- 
fact 


ion,   and   at   a   minimum    of  (.-xpense.       All    th 


and  more,  can  be  found  in  the  Lake  St.  J  oh 


n  re-non. 


3/ 


Ouananichc  and  Salmon  Akin 


59 


Ouananichc  and   Salmon  Akin 


II    lias    come    to     in\      knowlcd'. 


'•'     ri'ccniU.    ho 


th 


throiiL'iv 


Ictt 


(Ts    rcc('i\c-cl 


and 


ar 


ticl 


cs    puhlisiUHi    11] 


arioiis    si)()t-tin^-    papers,    iliat    sonic    an-iers    (!itT(,'i- 


as    to    the 


ijciicaloL'N'    aiu 


anu,'     (|ualili('s     oi     th< 


ouananifhc.      This    I    cannot   understand. 


If 


an    a:iL;icr.    one    who    from    experii-nce    ci\r.    bcj 


pM-()per!y  classed  as  such,  lias  spent  a  pr()|)cr  length 
of    time    fishin--    for     this     landdocked     salmon,    ha- 


il l''    ni    all    Its 


,L'i\-en    time    en()UL;li    to    test    the     lishi 

phases,   cannot    ^i\f    this   L^reat    lish    its    proper   clas- 


ame    ll^ll.    then    he 


sification    as   heinw-   the   kiiii;-  of 

!s    not    worthy    of   the    name    of   aiii^ler.    and    should 

study   the    rudiments   of   the   art. 

I  hat   those  who   ha\c  caught   tlie   salmon  (Salmo 


sa!ar)  can    lish    for  ouananich 


e,   and   tli(  n   state   that 


tl 


lere   is    no    comparison,    sim;larit\',    or    relationshii 


6 1 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

cxIsliiiL!    l)i't\V(j(Mi    tli(;   two,  li'.'icls   mt:   to   1)clic\t:  tliat 


itl 


liciil< 


d    at, 


citlicr    an     atttMiipt   at    )i.'st    or   nchciiU;    is   ainicc 

or   hii^otctl    prcjudici;    in    favor   of  salmon    (isliiiiL;-   is 

so    tU^epK'    rooted    tliat    cxcollcnce    in    otluT   lisliinj^ 


canno 


t  1 


)(t 


ipprcci 


;it('(l. 


I  have  statctl  in  j^rccL'tliiiL;-  cliaptcrs  wliat  my 
ol)S(.M-vati()n  (U'cUiccd  from  practical  rxp(;rii'nct;  in 
ouananichc!  fishini;-,  runnint^-  throui^h  a  numlx-r  of 
years,  has  taui^ht  me,  hut  fcariiii^-  that  an  individual 
opinion  may  not  ha\(;  tin;  proper  Avci^ht,  I  shall 
([uotc    from    able   authorities    on    hshini;. 

Rcfcrrinn'  to  that  noted  authority ,  "The  l""ish(;ries 
of  the  L'nited  States,"  paL,^e  470,  we  fmd  on  tlu- 
subject  of  ouaiianiche  or  land-locked  salmon  the 
following:  "I'he  habits  of  successive  t^^enerations 
become  luTeditar\-  traits,  and  the  differences  in  their 
life-histories  s(H'm  to  justify  the  claim  of  tlu-  land- 
locked to  be  regarded  as  a  variety  of  Sa/mo  sa/ar. 
*   *   '"    It  is  to  be;  desiL;nated  as  Sa/ino  sa/ar,  \ariet)' 


'b 


sroaco. 


Altl 


lOUL'h 


botl 


1    ori<'Ui 


;ited 


m 


tl 


le     siune 


primitive;  stock,  it  is  not  probable  that  one  chans^es 
to  the  other    -excej)t  after  many  L^^'ntirations,   uiuKr 


th 


le    inlluence    o 


f    I 


orcec 


I    ch; 


uims    in 


th 


eir    einiron- 


ments. 


63 


at 
It. 

is 


'.^^ 


y 

n 
.f 
il 


^ 

a 


^   5c 


'jZ,   *' 


•  A 

7  2 

'A  :^ 


•< 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

This  j)r{)VL's  ni\'  tlicor)-  that  tliis  fisli  has  l3(;cn 
laiKl-h)ck(jcl  from  tlic  sea  in  the  past,  and  is  prac- 
tically the  same,  except  in  slii^ht  tletails,  which  their 
different  surrountlinj^^s  has  brouirht  about. 

r\irther.  that  authoritative  hook.  "American 
Fishes,"  in  comparing;'  the  habits  of  tiie  salmon 
and  ouananiche.  pa-^^e  450,  states  in  substance  that 
the  methods  of  the  female;  in  both  species  in  ex- 
cavating^ a  mst  are  similar,  and  that  the  manner 
of  spawning  b\  both  tin;  male  and  female  is  identi- 
cally  the   same   in    both. 

This  has  been  proven  1)\'  noted  anglers,  and  they 
find  that  this  function  in  salmon  of  both  I'2nL;lish 
and  Canadian  waters  is  the  same,  and  the  ouanan- 
iche tliffers  in  not  the  slio^htest  detail.  l^\en  the 
period   of  spawning  exactly   ai^rees. 

Quoting-  from  the  same  work.  [)age  452,  where 
it  compares  the  grilse,  which  is  the  adolescent  sal- 
mt)n.  and  the  land-locked  species,  it  says  of  the 
latter:  "I  have  had  one  ot  4  pounds  leap  from 
the  water  ten  times,  antl  higher  and  further  than 
a  salmon.  Woe  to  the  angler  who  attempts,  with- 
out gi\inj.  line,  to  hold  one  excn  of  3  pounds; 
he  does  it  at  the   risk  oi    his  casting  line,  or  his  agile 

63 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 


opponent   tears   a   piece    from    its   jaw   or    snout,    in 
its  desperate   efforts  to   e'scape." 

This  would  seem   to   be*  conclusive  evidence   that 


th 


e    salmon    and    ouananiclu!    are    tru 


ly 


siii  ccncns. 


as   1  have;  claimed,  hut   for  unl)elie\i!rs    I   will  (piotc 
f 


th 


)f   IVof.  Si 


;1    G; 


rom  tne  recent  opmion  ot  i  rot.  rjamuei  i/arman 
of  the  Museum  of  Comi)arative  Zooloi^y,  Camhridire, 
Mass.  iM-esh  specimens  of  the  ouananiche  have 
been  sent  him  b)-  my  friend  I'^.  W  I).  Chambers  of 
Ouebec,  and  afttT  (.'xamination  he  writes:  "Now 
in  regard  to  specific  identity,  I  set;  nothinsj^  by 
which  to  tlistini^uish  the  fish  of  Lake  St.  John  from 
Salnio  sa/ar,  as  rei)resented  by  si)ecimens  from  New 
Brunswick,  Ahiine,  and  other  New  I^.m^land  rivers. 
It  may  prevent  misunderstanding-  if  it  is  e\[)lained 
that  I  take  the  fresh-water  intlividuals,  includinir 
of  course,  those;  truly  land-locked  as  commonly  de- 
signated, to  be  the  better  representative  of  the 
species  .V.  sa/ar.  As  xou  are  well  aware,  no  distinc- 
tions are  made  between  )(!ung  born  of  parents  that 
have  returned  from  the  sea,  and  those;  of  others 
which  have  nc;v(;r  \)v.v.n  there.  Propagation  takes 
place,  as  far  as  now  known,  only  in  fr(;sh  waters, 
and   the   fact   that   some    individuals   leave   these  for 


in 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

a  time.  I)ca)niin<r  somewhat  inodified  hy  so  doin^^s 
neither  ,t;ives  rise  to  a  chTferent  s])ecies.  nor  evenli 
different  variety.  Tht-  chanoe  is  simply  variation 
of  an  inch'vidual,  which  variation  is  not  a  necessity 
for  the   continued  existence  of   the  species." 

Of  the  edihle  (lualities  of  the  ouananiche,  IVof. 
Garman  says:  "Whether  it  was  hoiled  and  (.iten 
Avith  sauce,  or  hroih  1.  all  present  at  the  table  con- 
curred in  the  opinion  that  the  Lake  St.  John  ouan- 
aniche  was  delicious.  The  llesh  was  not  as  fat  nor 
as  red  as  that  of  the  Sa/mo  sa/ai-  we  are  used  to 
have  from  the  sea.  Less  of  the  oiliness  was,  to 
my  own  taste,  rather  in  its  favor.  The  deeper 
pink  of  the  meat,  and  the  difference  in  flavor  and 
fatness  of  marine  specimens  is  due  to  the  differ- 
ences in   the   food  supplies." 

Beyond  this  I  have  the  opinion  of  no  less  an 
authority  than  Mr.  Samuel  W'ilmot.  Deputy  Com- 
missioner of  iMsheries  of  Ottawa;  that  Sa/mo  sa/ar 
fry  can  be  placed  in  land-locked  fresh  waters,  and 
will  thrive  and  orow,  eventually  becoming  the  land- 
locked  species. 

All  this  I  submit  as  proof  conclusive  and  as  sub- 
stantiatinor  my  claims. 

(>5 


The  Leaping  Ouananiche 

I  cannot  close  in  a  mnint  filliniL,^  manner  than  to 
([uoti;  from  Mr.  A.  X.  Cheney,  who  in  commenting- 
on  IVof.  (iarman's  report,  says  \n  Foi'csi  aud  Shuavi: 
"  I  do  not  imaL,nne'  that  Prof,  darman's  report  will 
be  accepted  as  final  hy  (;\'c;r\-  one  who  has  cauj^ht 
or  ma)'  catch  the  ouananiche,  for  there  are  yet 
men  who  contend  that  brook  trout  do  not  i^row 
to  exceixl  four  pounds  in  weij^dit,  and  tin;  same  or 
oth(;rs  contend  that  the  black  bass  of  tlu;  small- 
mouthed  species  does  not  Lirow  to  a  ''reater  W(MSj;ht 
than  six  pounds;  but  all  exce[)t  these  skeptics,  and 
those  who  hold  to  the  belief  that  horse  hairs  turn 
into  water  snakes,  will  no  loni^-er  (juestion  that  the; 
ouananiche,  the  land-locked  salmon,  and  the  sea 
salmon,  an;  om;  and  the  same  lish  with  different 
environments." 


632412 

.    m 


66 


to 

vi: 
vill 
^ht 
ret 

)\V 

or 

ill- 

ht 

id 

rn 

u; 

lit 


